Share this with

The Gunners are closing in on a loan deal for the Spaniard (Picture: Getty)

Denis Suarez’s move to Arsenal appears to be edging closer after he was left out of Barcelona’s latest squad, while he also ‘liked’ a post on Instagram celebrating the Gunners’ win over Chelsea.

Arsenal moved within three points of the Blues with a 2-0 victory over their London rivals at the Emirates on Saturday evening, with Alexandre Lacazette and Laurent Koscielny both on the score sheet.

Suarez appeared to enjoy the match, liking an Instagram post praising Arsenal’s terrific performance and mocking fears over their form with the caption: ‘Crisis? What crisis?’

The midfielder has also been left out of Barcelona’s 24-man squad to face Leganes in La Liga on Sunday despite being fully fit.

There is now a sense that Suarez’s loan move to Arsenal could be completed imminently – with the Gunners likely to pay a fee of between £14m and £20m in the summer to make it permanent – though manager Unai Emery played coy at his post-match press conference.

Arsenal are restricted from making any transfers in the January window so have had to get creative to secure a deal for Suarez and will be obliged to buy him outright at the end of his six-month loan.

Suarez has been used sparingly by Ernesto Valverde this season but enjoyed his time playing under Emery at Sevilla, winning the Europa League together, and believes his compatriot can reignite his career.